No hike water falls: The beautiful Wailua Falls in Kauai

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Wailua Falls is an 83 foot waterfall located just North of Lihue tucked away behind the Kalepa Mountain Forest Reserve in Hanamā‘ulu.(Kauai, Hawaii).It cascades into 2 streams below and form a shallow pool nearly 30 feet deep and then feeds into the Wailua River.

 It catapulted into the international spotlight back in the 1970's, when it was featured into opening credits of the well-known television series Fantasy Island. It also appears on many island memorabilia, postcards, print and digital media.

According to Hawaiian Legend, it was at this enchanting waterfall that Hawaiian men (men), possibly ali‘i (royalty), would test their endurance by jumping the some 83-feet into the shallow 30-foot pool below. Folklore also says that many of these men never made it back.

It is easily accessible by car and there is plenty of parking available at the site.

It can also be seen by Kauai helicopter and Kauai airplane tours.

You can get to the bottom of the falls by 2 hiking trails. The first one is near the guard rail of the parking lot, this is very steep and muddy.

The second one is located further down the road. If you walk back nearly a quarter mile from the parking lot you will come to this trail. It is longer but descends gradually and is safer to hike.

But, the county advises against taking the trails and going down at the bottom of the fall.

The best view of the fall is from the overlook above. In addition, you are treated with a bonus of seeing a beautiful rainbow at the right angle of the sun.

There was a native Hawaiian man making straw hats and selling local jewelry near the overlook. We brought  some very cheap beautiful jewelry made up of abalone shell. 

Rainbow over the falls 

Rainbow over the falls 

The second,safer hike down the fall

Greenery along the way  to the Wailua Falls

Greenery along the way  to the Wailua Falls

Greenery along the way  to the Wailua Falls

The Wailua River

Kauai is also famous for premium Kauai coffee. Shop Hawaiian Kauai coffee here

How to get to the Wailua falls

Take on Hwy. 56 and make a right turn after mile marker 1. You'll notice a road on your left- Maalo Road/Hwy. 583- which also have a sign pointing in the direction of the falls. Follow the signs, and after a winding road amid lot of greenery, the road ends into the parking lot. Plenty of parking it available and the fall is located on your right.